Head and Neck Anatomy Flashcards

Which of the following muscles is responsible for depressing and retracting the tongue during swallowing?

Answer: Hyoglossus

The hyoglossus muscle depresses and retracts the tongue; it originates from the hyoid bone and inserts into the lateral tongue.

The nasopalatine nerve, which is anesthetized during a nasopalatine nerve block, innervates which area?

Answer: Anterior hard palate and lingual gingiva of maxillary anterior teeth

The nasopalatine nerve innervates the anterior hard palate (anterior one-third) and the lingual/palatal gingiva of the maxillary six anterior teeth.

Which bone forms the posterior part of the hard palate?

Answer: Palatine bone (horizontal plate)

The horizontal plates of the paired palatine bones form the posterior one-third of the hard palate, while the palatine processes of the maxilla form the anterior two-thirds.

In head and neck anatomy, the 'Waldeyer's ring' refers to:

Answer: A ring of lymphoid tissue at the junction of the oral cavity and pharynx

Waldeyer's ring is a ring of lymphoid tissue comprising the pharyngeal tonsil (adenoids), palatine tonsils, lingual tonsils, and tubal tonsils that guards the entrance to the pharynx.

Which branch of the facial nerve is most commonly damaged during parotid gland surgery or infection, resulting in drooping of the corner of the mouth?

Answer: Marginal mandibular branch

The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve runs near the lower border of the mandible and controls muscles of the lower lip; damage causes drooping at the corner of the mouth.

The greater palatine nerve block anesthetizes which structures?

Answer: Posterior hard palate and palatal gingiva from the third molar to the canine

The greater palatine nerve block anesthetizes the posterior hard palate, the palatal gingiva, and the mucosa from the maxillary third molar to the canine on the injected side.